Mursi Monarch
$65.00 – $2,245.00
The Mursi Monarch – This is one of my favorite images from my Vanishing Royalty collection. When you see it it just commands your attention. At first, many folks claim that they don’t quite know what they’re looking at. This otherworldly image is from the Mursi tribe of Ethiopia’s Omo Valley, a tribe often misunderstood as “one of the most dangerous.”
This powerful woman of the famous Mursi Tribe in Ethiopia’s Omo Valley stands tall, casting her gaze over the land with an air of regality and authority. Wearing the traditional Nilla headpiece, she commands respect from all who behold her. This headpiece is an emblem of pride and strength between the Mursi and their revered bulls. Often times they will wear it themselves but it’s main purpose is to decorate and celebrate their most prized bull. This head piece truly highlights the precious bond that links the tribe with their treasured cattle.
Limited Edition vs Open Edition:
Limited Edition pieces are printed on archival museum-grade, archival rag paper or premium museum canvas, using long-lasting pigment inks. The Collection items are shipped as print-only. If you opt for the museum paper, your new photographic artwork will be bordered by a 1.5-inch white margin, which will be signed, titled, embossed, and numbered…
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Limited Edition pieces are printed on archival museum-grade, archival rag paper or premium museum canvas, using long-lasting pigment inks. The Collection items are shipped as print-only. If you opt for the museum paper, your new photographic artwork will be bordered by a 1.5-inch white margin, which will be signed, titled, embossed, and numbered…
Read more
Description
The Mursi Monarch – This is one of my favorite images from my Vanishing Royalty collection. When you see it it just commands your attention. At first, many folks claim that they don’t quite know what they’re looking at. This otherworldly image is from the Mursi tribe of Ethiopia’s Omo Valley, a tribe often misunderstood as “one of the most dangerous.”
This powerful woman of the famous Mursi Tribe in Ethiopia’s Omo Valley stands tall, casting her gaze over the land with an air of regality and authority. Wearing the traditional Nilla headpiece, she commands respect from all who behold her. This headpiece is an emblem of pride and strength between the Mursi and their revered bulls. Often times they will wear it themselves but it’s main purpose is to decorate and celebrate their most prized bull. This head piece truly highlights the precious bond that links the tribe with their treasured cattle.
The lip plate she wears is a symbol of her transition into adulthood and a sign of her value within the tribe. Starting in puberty, a Mursi girl’s lip is cut and a small stick is inserted. Over time, it’s gradually stretched to accommodate larger plates. The bigger the plate, the greater the dowry her father can ask for. The dowry is usually paid in cattle, which is a measure of wealth and status within the tribe. But the plate isn’t worn all the time, it’s mainly for special occasions like serving food to men, at dances, or when attending significant events like weddings or dueling Donga competitions.
Wrapped in a royal blue garment, reminiscent of a Greek Exomis, her attire mirrors the rich heritage and longstanding traditions of the Mursi people. This powerful portrait paints a vivid picture of a culture steeped in deep-rooted customs, resilience, and a profound connection to their land and livestock.
Additional information
| Size | 8"x12", 12"x18", 24"x36", 30"x45", 32"x48", 36”x54" |
|---|---|
| Paper | Museum Quality Paper, Professional Photo Paper, Museum Canvas |
| Edition | Initialed Open Edition, Signed Limited Edition |
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